JOB: Staff Associate Department-SSW Social Work
Columbia University

Position Title Staff Associate
Department SSW Social Work
Location Morningside
Summary Description The Justice Lab at Columbia University seeks a highly qualified research Staff Associate to support the work of their Probation and Parole Reform Project, which seeks to make probation and parole in the United States smaller, better, and less punitive through a combination of action-oriented research, convenings, and communications activities. In particular, this position will support the work of the newly established Community Corrections Administrators for Justice (CCAJ) network, a three-year series of convenings and ongoing communications effort. CCAJ brings together current and former probation and parole administrators to review the research on and experience with community corrections and effective strategies to reduce the overuse of probation and parole and the excessive use of violations and fees. CCAJ will interface with and/or convene a variety of stakeholders, including: community corrections professionals; people who were formerly on probation or parole; policy makers; judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys; advocates; philanthropy; professional associations; and the academic community. CCAJ will marry research with practice to produce research and policy articles, webinars, conferences, and briefings on effective approaches to reducing the footprint and negative outcomes of community corrections. CCAJ will also provide rapid-response media engagement and short-term technical assistance at opportune moments for policy change.

The incumbent will coordinate the research-related activities of the CCAJ network. The incumbent will:

1) CCAJ network through organized meetings and events, webinars, media advisories, presentations at conferences and forums, and other similar activities;

2) serve as the key point of contact between CCAJ network participants and the Justice Lab team, gathering research for the design and drafting of statements of principles, policy briefs, and related materials;

3) coordinate the research tasks and deliverables (e.g., policy analysis; collection and analysis of crime, incarceration, and supervision data) needed for the CCAJ network;

4) coordinate the work of the CCAJ steering committee and network participants to deliver research briefings, public communications, and technical assistance in jurisdictions across the country; and

5) coordinate between faculty and senior staff and the communications team on the CCAJ communications effort.

– Working closely with faculty and senior staff, coordinates the research tasks and deliverables needed for the CCAJ network. Conducts research tasks regarding the impact of community supervision and best practices to address overuse of community supervision, violations, and fees. This may include conducting literature reviews; creating charts, graphs and PowerPoint presentations; analyzing data; reviewing media accounts; interviewing policy makers, probation and parole professionals, and directly impacted individuals and their families; and working with CCAJ participants to garner feedback/critiques on written products. Contributes analysis and/or writing for policy briefs, statements of principles, and public communications, including opinion pieces and presentations by CCAJparticipants. 30%

– Assists in the dissemination of research of the CCAJ network through coordinating organized meetings and events, webinars, media advisories, presentations at conferences and forums, and other similar activities. Coordinates logistics of research related events, such as convenings of the steering committee and larger CCAJ network, town halls, news events and meetings of the PI and collaborators of CCAJ. Implements systems to coordinate research and program development, including tracking timelines and deliverables and communicating research progress to funders and potential funders, including drafting interim progress reports and final reports. 20%

– Works with the Senior Research Scientist Vincent Schiraldi (PI), Senior Staff Associate Kendra Bradner, primary liaison to the (CCAJ) steering committee and larger working group, comprised of leading current and former parole and probation administrators. Coordinates the work of Community Corrections Administrators for Justice (CCAJ) to develop policy options to effectively reduce the overuse of community supervision, violations, and supervision fees, which will form the basis of statements of principles, policy briefs, and related materials. Working closely with faculty and senior researchers, coordinates and collaborates with researchers, policy makers and advocates, including formerly justice-involved persons and their families, to support CCAJ’s mission. 20%

– Coordinates the work of the CCAJ steering committee and network participants to deliver research briefings, public communications, and expedited technical assistance in jurisdictions across the country. Provides research and policy analysis support for speaker engagements within and outside of the University. Coordinates CCAJ participants in speaking about CCAJ mission-related work at conferences, before elected officials, policy specialists, academia and lay audience members, and in the media throughout the country, including assisting with writing testimony. Assists faculty and senior staff in coordinating rapid and expert responses in opportune moments to effect reform, such as in the wake of highly publicized cases, lawsuits, media exposes, or changes in administration. 20%

– Coordinate between faculty and senior staff and the communications team on the CCAJ communications effort. Works within an overall communications strategy for CCAJ to support the development of products that amplify CCAJ’s research, best practices and policy/practice statements, including op-eds, webinars, and/or presentations to various audiences. Works with communications personnel and consultants to maintain the CCAJ website, publicize conferences, webinars, reports, opinion pieces, social media feed and overall social media presence. 10%

Minimum Degree Required Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, criminal justice, sociology, psychology, management, political science, history, or community health
Minimum Qualifications Minimum of four (4) years of relevant experience (e.g., criminal justice policy, research, and/or program coordination

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